Birthday Ramblings

Today I am another year older. The big 3-7.  3 years to 40  Birthdays sure are bitter sweet!

After sitting and waiting for what felt like hours, the DMV was nice enough to renew my license. I assumed I wouldn't have to take another picture and didn't bother doing anything special to my hair or putting on makeup. The person behind the counter actually laughed when they handed me my new ID!

The next time my license comes up for renewal, I'll be 45.  It made me wonder …what will the next 8 years bring?  My daughter will be 23.  In eight years, will she have forgotten about One Direction?  What's all the fuss about any way?!  My son 18.  For this mama, seeing my son turn 18 and prepare for college will be met with tears.  My husband and I will be preparing to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary.  So glad we made it. By then, Sasha will have outgrown her puppy stage and I pray Princess and Bella will have outlived their expected lifespan.  

Do I see myself still blogging?  How long do most blogs last?  Will I dye my hair and shape my eyebrows?
Is it possible to grow old without going gray?

Although many things are beyond my control, I look forward to all that comes next in my life...

Mango Limeade

 A few weekends ago I had my family here for a visit and decided to make something special after we ate dinner.  Instead of serving dessert, we enjoyed lively conversations and drinks.  There's nothing better than sipping on a chilled drink on a hot summer night surrounded by loved ones.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups white sugar

8 cups water

2 cups fresh squeezed lime juice

3 mangoes, peeled and pitted

mangoes, peeled and pitted

puree the mangoes

juice the limes

In a pitcher combine ingredients, stir together until sugar is dissolved.

Serve chilled or on ice.

It also makes an excellent cocktail with the addition of gin.

Back to School Notebooks

My kids are back in school in a couple of weeks.  Along with buying new clothes comes school supplies.  Although we haven't received their official school supply list, while in Target the other day I decided to pick up a few things I knew they would need.

My daughter prefers composition books for taking notes.  I purchased a few for her to use, but decided to  personalize them with scrapbook paper.  I purchased a few other supplies(some I had on hand).  Then I sealed each book with Mod Podge.

I've been hearing so much about washi tape lately and decided to give it a try.  I used to the tape to decorate a few of the books with.

Washi tape is so easy to use.  The possibilities are endless. You are only limited by your imagination!

My daughter loves her new books and can't wait to use them!

Blog Redesign

I'm sure by now you've noticed the blog's looking a bit different. The blog received a little update in the form of a new header.  It’s such a fresh, new improvement!



The new design is courtesy of Latoya, from A Peaceful Crib.  Latoya began doing design work and recently opened an Etsy shop full of digital art.  She kindly offered a blog redesign to one of her readers.  I jumped at the opportunity and couldn't be more pleased!  Latoya was such a pleasure to work with.  I was unsure how I wanted the blog to look.  So Latoya emailed me a few ideas and shortly thereafter my blog had a new design. 



Are you thinking about giving your blog a makeover?  Welcome your new arrival with the cutest birth announcements.  Or perhaps you'd like to create stylish invitations for your next event.  If so, please consider Latoya!

Garage Door Hardware

Decorative hardware is a great way to add a quick updated look to your garage door.  After reading this post on 320 Sycamore, I decided to freshen up the appearance of our garage door as well.

Before pictures of the garage door in the fall

...around the holidays

and a full view of the front of the house.

Garage door with new hardware.  

I purchased the hardware from Ebay for under $30.

It was very easy to install, but there are also magnetic options if you do not want to put holes in the door.

*Be sure the handles don't stick too far out to prevent the garage door from opening and closing.  I forgot to check before adding the handles and I literally held my breath hoping I didn't jam the the garage door opener. My husband would have loved that one!!

To see more garage door ideas visit Pinterest. 

Ricotta Pancakes

While my daughter was away last week, I took the opportunity to spend quality one on one time with my son.

When I sat down and asked my son how he would like to start his day, he asked, "Can I have breakfast in bed?"  My family always serves me breakfast in bed on Mother's Day, so I thought it would be cute to serve him instead.

My son loves pancakes!  They're his favorite breakfast food.

I intended to make sour cream pancakes, but we ran out.  To avoid making a trip to the store I substituted the sour cream for the leftover ricotta cheese we had in the fridge.  And so these delicious ricotta pancakes were born. The ricotta makes the pancakes really moist, light and fluffy. Pancakes are delicious anyway you make them, but pancakes made with ricotta cheese are even more delicious.

My son devoured them, then thanked me for making him such a nice breakfast.  And once my daughter returned  home, he rubbed it in her face that I made him breakfast in bed.

Ingredients
2 cups Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake mix
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
Butter and syrup for serving
non-stick spray for griddle


Directions
Whisk together all of the ingredients in a large bowl until combined.
Prepare the griddle with non-stick spray.
On a hot griddle, pour out 1/4 cupfuls to make pancakes.  Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes.  Turn and cook until the second side is golden brown, about 2 minutes.  Serve with butter and syrup.

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